Competitions- Being Fair

I posted a picture on this site last week and entered it into the exposure of the week competition (27thmarch - 2nd april) after getting some very nice comments, for which I thank those that have voted.

I saw yesterday that another person that had also entered the competition and that same person had voted onmy picture awarding a "7". My average was then about 9. My wife thought it odd that people that enter the competitions could also vote on other entries, I did not realise that anyone could do this.Anyway this morning a looked back at my picture and the person who voted "7" for my picture now has changed it to a "2" bringing my average down lower. I think this is unfair and once a vote has been cast they should ne be able to change it later. I won't do the same and "vote down" other entries.

Perhaps this is allowed under rules but I will hope that a change is made to the rules making it fair for everyone who enters these competitions. Once a vote is cast it should be final....

Thanks,I understand that, It is quite demotivational of others to do that and it's silly for them too as others can do it in return...it spoils the efforts made by others to compliment good creative photos on a open and welcome site.Its a great site and has a lot of good memberS.note: further to this some other new uloads have now been rated with low figures without reason by two members , they might be the same person.James

Yea it's strange. I have noticed a couple of people rating way below what anyone else has on the same photo, now I could understand maybe if they were so good that they noticed things that others had missed and pointed out those weaknesses in the photo, but they usually leave no comment at all, just a very low rating, and looking at their own galleries it seems that their own work is way below the standard of the photos they rate low.It hasn't happened to me much but I have seen it a lot with other peoples photos recently.

I really don't mind a low rating myself, if it is explained with an accompanying comment. That's how we can improve.

Thanks Paul. My son posted on here and felt there was no point in uploading pictures if that happened. Genuine comments and ratings are always appreciated even if they are low. But R Jiminez and M Walsh sem to be doing it whilst upping there own. It just gives a bad feeling about uploading.What is more important is that the person that takes the photo likes the photo!thanks again for the comments.

Thankfully Mark does the picking for POTW and we all have one vote for the final selection. Some sites discount the highest and the lowest rating this might be a good way to go otherwise just consider where this low rating is coming from and take it with a grain of salt, (though admittedly this is childishly agrivating) you might even consider it a compiment! Rangy Lil

Interests:reading sci fiction, photography, endurance riding with my part bred arab gelding, working with rescued dogs, just adopted old dog from Dogs Trust in England

Posted 03 April 2006 - 10:15 AM

Hi, all

I have had several of my latest pics rated as low as 4/5 by a couple of bloggers, recently, one of whom had not at that time any photos at all in their own gallery. I find this frustrating as I have no complaints about any of my posts being shot down if flames by other, obviously more talented and experienced photographers, but not to know where they are 'coming from' with their ratings, esp, if not backed by explanation is frustrating. when/if I leave a lower rating than the 'average', I will always try to say exactly why, and if I think I can help with any advice which is legitimate, I will also try, always with the proviso they are perfectly entitled not to agree with anything I say!

In some respects I am still glad that someone has bothered to rate at all, they are entitled to their opinions. I realise that quite often especially with macro or botanical subjects, they seem to get passed by by many bloggers, many, obviously, who prefer landscape, or whatever, they are quite entitled to their opinions. personally I am not a 'portrait' person, so I dont often comment on what are undoubtedly brilliant pics, just because personally they are not my cup of tea and my input would be more subjective than objective (for what either would be worth!) I usually think 'would that go on my wall?' and rate accordingly. eg many of the worlds best photos are taken in war zones, but I would not want to hang one up!

I think it is probably much better just to take the view that exeptionally low ratings, especially without explanation, are probably not worth the time it took to upload, and in the end it is the members who leave them who discredit themselves and their opinions, not those whose pics they 'dis'.I soon becomes obvious to regular bloggers who these people are, and in the end, their ratings come to mean very little.(jamsa take note!)

I would urge new posters not to be discouraged by the embittered few, who for whatever reason, seem to only find solace in criticising others, instead of learning from others and trying to improve their own work.

Just noticed a new member last night doing it to half of the lovely flower shots. When I looked in their gallery and profile no pictures and joining date 2 or 3 of this month.

Obviously most people will take no notice of this sort of thing but it is frustrating I agree. And especially when you see your total rating drop a point or more because of one person who will not say why.

As janzark said, flower photos are not my thing either. I look at them from as neutral a point of view as I can and If it is a stunning composition with good exposure and colour I have no problem giving it a 9 or occasional 10. My initial reaction is always "Do I like this?" but then I try to get more objective and give as realistic a rating as possible, if I rate a 7 or 8 or lower I will say why and as janzark said also, if the photographer doesn't agree then that's fine, I feel compelled to explain why I did not give a high rating though out of fairness. Then other better photographers can also point out the error of my critique.

Generaly this seems to be a pretty friendly and helpful community amongst those who contribute regularly. I hope that by offering ratings and advice I can also encourage others to become more involved, especially new members.A low rating with no explanation to me seems a pointless exercise and leaves the critic looking vindictive rather than helpful.

Most people here are very consistant and fair with their ratings and the few who are not will probably disappear pretty quickly.

I would actually be very happy if more of you would comment on my failures rather than just my occasional successes.I love praise and high ratings, but in the short time I have been here it has been h the critique that has helped me get a few better ratings. I still post what must to be some real c**p sometimes, as no one say's a word.

I will certainly not take offense to any of you ripping the S**t out of anything you think is not up to a high standard, anyone at all who does it in a constructive way is more than welcome to do so. I will not engage in some stupid vendetta to "get back" at anyone.Some may already feel I am a little outspoken, not in keeping my own skill, if you read my critique though I think you will find it is given constructivley and with a positive atitude. I always try to praise the good points before pointing out any weaknesses I feel are there.

One thing which I see on this site is a number of people with great skill and talent in different fields of photography. I believe we can all benefit from this wide range of knowledge.

Just Please, don't give me a 4 without telling me what you feel is the problem.

Interests:reading sci fiction, photography, endurance riding with my part bred arab gelding, working with rescued dogs, just adopted old dog from Dogs Trust in England

Posted 04 April 2006 - 09:31 AM

cheers, paul 77

the ratings are tricky, I think because very poor photos can be from very young or inexperienced photographers it would be aweful to dicourage them from what can be a very rewarding absorbing hobby, passtime or possible vocation, and not generally a hazard to health,like some of the stuff young folk get into these days! I rate more generously with new posters who are obviously on the learning curve to give encouragement, and harder on the folk who regularly put in top class shots, so I nit pic more on the small faults as I see them (and I am only able to do this as folk have done the same for me).

when I started posting on the blog, someone mentioned 'noisy' and I had no clue what they meant. chromatic aberration was another. I only just twigged that from a comment on one of my landscapes which specifically pointed it out so I understood. now I know and try to make sure this does not feature in shots!

also, there is huge difference in the ability of various different formats and types of cameras, mp count etc. I have noticed that my early pics with the z3 had their limitations, but also produced some pretty nice shots, even if they could not have been enlarged to any great degree with success. but I learnt mostly from looking at great shots here, the comments made on them, and my own. now I regularly get highish ratings for pictures that in my opinion are ok, so at least my thinking is relatively in tune now!(I hope) and my ability to recognize a good shot is one hundred percent better than 12 months ago.

but taste differs widely. and the time I am able to spend glued to dozens of pics without the whites of my eyes turning the colour of chopped liver, so I tend to stick to the thumbs that stand out for me before I comment!

the funny thing is, the poorest shots are not the ones attracting the low ratings from these folks! its the better ones, so I leave it for the enlightened to work out what their motives are!

I agree, I joined this site to get input from everyone to make my photography more enjoyable and up to now everyone one has been very helpful.I enjoy what I do and if I can get advice from others then thats great, Everyone has different stories to tell in thier pictures so enjoy....:-)

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